Can You Put Donuts In An Air Fryer? (read this first)

Everyone likes donuts, but they can be full of fat and seriously unhealthy. We have two healthier ways to make donuts at home that can be cooked in an air fryer.

Of course, simply cooking the donuts in an air fryer makes them a healthier option because air fryers cook donuts without deep frying. Which means the donuts don’t absorb lots of fat which we then eat.

Air fryer donuts are by far the healthiest alternative to shop bought or traditionally cooked donuts.

Can You Cook Donuts In An Air Fryer?

You most certainly can cook donuts in an air fryer. In fact, we have two different ways to cook donuts in the air fryer. One uses only three ingredients and takes no longer than fifteen minutes from start to finish.

Let’s get into the air fryer donut recipes…

Can You Cook Traditional Donuts In An Air Fryer?

You can cook traditional tasting donuts in an air fryer. Just follow these steps;

Ingredients

For the donuts you will need:

• 300 g (2 ½ cups) plain flour
• 1 large egg
• 50 g (¼ cup) caster sugar
• 140 ml (4 fluid ounces) full fat milk
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 100 g (3.52 ounces) melted butter
• 14 g (1 packet) fast-action dried yeast

And for the frosted coating you will need:

• 200 g (1 ¾ cups) caster sugar
• 10 g (¼ cup) cinnamon

Method

1. Mix the flour, sugar, salt and nutmeg in a large mixing bowl 
2. then add the yeast, egg, milk and half of the melted butter.
3. Mix together until a dough is formed.
4. Move the dough onto a floured board and knead for 12 to 15 minutes or until the dough is smooth and stretchy.
5. Place the kneaded dough into a large greased bowl and cover with a tea towel and leave in a warm place for around 1 to 2 hours or until it has doubled in size.
6. Place the dough on a floured board and roll with a rolling pin to about an inch (2.54 cm) thick.
7. Cut the donut shapes using pastry cutting rings
8. Place the donuts on a baking tray lined with baking paper and brush them with melted butter, then cover and allow to stand for around 40 to 50 minutes.
9. Preheat the air fryer to 180 C (350 F) and lightly oil the air fryer basket.
10. Place the donuts in the basket ensuring there is at least ½ inch (1.27 cm) between each one.
11. Air fry for 4 to 5 minutes at 180 C (350 F) until golden brown.
12. Mix the caster sugar and cinnamon in a large bowl.
13. Brush the cooked donuts with melted butter and dip them into the sugar/cinnamon mix.
14. Then serve.

How To Make Fast And Easy Healthy Air Fryer Donuts

These are simplicity itself and they taste delicious. To make these fast and easy air fryer donuts, just do the following;

Ingredients

For the donuts you will need:

• 595 g (1 ¾ cups) self raising flour
• 340 g (1 cup) greek yogurt

And for the glaze you will need:

• 510 g (1 ½ cups) icing sugar
• 1 to 2 tablespoons of water

Method

1. Mix the yogurt and flour in a large bowl until it turns into a thick dough (if the dough is too thin just add more flour, too thick add more yogurt).
2. Transfer the dough onto a floured board and knead until the dough becomes smooth.
3. Divide the dough into 8 equal sized portions.
4. Roll each portion into a sausage shape and connect each end to form a circular donut shape.
5. Line your air fryer basket with baking (parchment) paper and place as many donuts in the basket as you can fit allowing about ½ inch between each one.
6. Air fry at 180 C (350 F) for 8 minutes or until the donuts feel firm to the touch.
7. Allow to cool.
8. While the donuts are cooling; Sift the icing sugar into a large bowl and combine with 1 or 2 tablespoons of water until it turns into a smooth glaze.
9. Dip each donut in the glaze and place on a wire rack.
10. Serve and enjoy.

Can You Cook Frozen Donuts In An Air Fryer?

You can cook frozen donuts in an air fryer as long as they’re not already glazed. All you need to do is;

Ingredients

• Frozen donuts

Method

1. Place the frozen donuts in the air fryer basket and air fry at 180 C (350 F) for 4 minutes turning halfway.
2. Serve and enjoy.
   

Can You Reheat Glazed Donuts In An Air Fryer?

You can reheat glazed donuts in an air fryer. All you need to do is preheat the air fryer to 180 C (350 F) then place the glazed donuts wrapped in aluminium foil in the basket and air fry for 2 to 3 minutes or until piping hot.

Ways To Save On Cleaning The Air Fryer

One of the main benefits of using an air fryer is the speed at which your food is cooked. Added to which is the fact that you are only heating a small area which cuts down significantly on your energy consumption.

If there is one bug bear when it comes to using the air fryer, it’s the clearing up after use. However, there are ways to significantly cut down on washing up after cooking with an air fryer. Which are;

Using Parchment (Baking) Paper In The Air Fryer

 

Parchment paper can be cut to size and placed in the air fryer basket to catch any crumbs, fat or grease and prevent it from leaking into the basket’s perforations and onto the floor of the air fryer.

After use the baking paper can be discarded with the general waste or in some cases it can be recycled (you’ll need to check with your local council) or it can be composted.

As baking paper is lightweight, you should never place it in the air fryer without pinning it down with the food. This is because if it’s not pinned down it could be blown around the air fryer by the powerful fan, get stuck to the element and cause a fire.

Using Disposable Paper Liners In The Air Fryer

 

These disposable paper liners are made from reinforced baking (parchment) paper and come in many shapes and sizes suitable for most air fryers.

They are waterproof, grease proof, non-stick and can withstand temperatures up to 220 C (428 F) which makes them ideal for use in the air fryer.

These liners will trap any crumbs, grease or fat making it almost unnecessary to clean your air fryer after use in many cases.

They can often be recycled (check with your local authority) or composted.

Using Silicone Liners In The Air Fryer

 

These are similar in design to the disposable paper liners in as much as they come in a range of shapes and sizes to fit most air fryers. They are made from food grade silicone which is non-stick, non-toxic and can withstand temperatures of up to 232 C (450 F).

After use, these silicone liners can be washed and reused time after time. Which makes them a great environmentally friendly product.

SEE ALSO:

• Can You Put Corn Dogs In An Air Fryer?
• Can You Put Cheese In An Air Fryer?
• Can You Put Broccoli In An Air Fryer?
• Can You Put Bread In An Air Fryer?

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